34 Extra-Special Father’s Day Recipes for Every Kind of Dad

From smoky ribs and buttery lobster rolls to grilled desserts and crowd-pleasing sides, make these recipes to celebrate the father figure in your life.

NEW! Save as a collection on MyRecipes
Tavern Burgers with Drunken Mushrooms
Credit:

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

In the United States, Father's Day falls in June, making it the perfect time to celebrate Dad with a menu of summer favorites. Think grill-friendly burgers, brisket, and brownies, as well as fresh produce. Treat the father figures in your life to meat-centric steak and ribs, or vegetarian-friendly spicy beer cheese and flavorful veggie burgers. Whichever route you take, the food will be delicious. Not grilling? No problem — whip up next-level chicken cutlets or crab carbonara. Whatever you'd like to include in your celebratory spread, we've got you covered. These are our best Father's Day recipes.

Keep all of your recipes at your fingertips. With the MyRecipes app you can easily save and organize your favorites from anywhere, including Instagram and TikTok, in one convenient place. Get the free app.

01 of 34

Beer Cheese

Beer Cheese

Food & Wine / Photo by Jason Donnelly / Food Styling by Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling by Addelyn Evans

Salvage stale or flat pale ale (or crack open a fresh one) for this spicy, tangy spread that's ready in 10 minutes and can accompany pretzels, fresh veggies, and more.

02 of 34

Spicy Guava-Glazed Wings

Spicy Guava-Glazed Wings

Cedric Angeles

2017 F&W Best New Chef Nina Compton roasts these wings in the oven, then tosses them in a spicy, fruity, and sticky glaze made with guava paste, crushed red pepper, and smoked paprika.

03 of 34

Summer Salmon Cobb Salad

Summer Salmon Cobb Salad

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

Cobb salad is beloved for its fun, fresh array of colors, flavors, and textures. Here, staple Cobb components like bacon, avocado, and hard-boiled eggs are matched with grilled salmon, corn, and red onions. The salmon is especially moist thanks to the rendered bacon fat that's brushed on before grilling.

04 of 34

Connecticut-Style Lobster Rolls

Connecticut-Style Lobster Rolls

Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

These simple lobster rolls from food writer Kelly Vaughan are Connecticut-style all the way: drenched in warm butter to showcase the sweet lobster meat.

05 of 34

Mac and Corn Cheese

Mac & Corn Cheese with Jalapeno Bread Crumbs

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

Brightened with zippy jalapeño, aromatic onion, and sweet kernels of corn, this stovetop macaroni and cheese from food writer Eric Kim is table-ready in just 40 minutes and pairs well with a variety of mains.

06 of 34

Burnt Ends with Bourbon Sauce

Burnt Ends

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Torie Cox and John Somerall / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis

2021 F&W Best New Chef Matt Horn shares recipes for his go-to spice rub and sticky bourbon sauce to accompany this take on burnt ends, which turn out crispy, caramelized, and oh-so smoky.

07 of 34

Texas Corn Pudding

Corn Pudding

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Whether you call it corn pudding, spoonbread, or corn casserole, this is a classic side for barbecue. Creamy and soufflé-like on the inside, with edges that veer more toward cornbread, this easy, cheesy dish leans sweet, with a touch of heat from fresh sliced chiles. 

08 of 34

Tavern Burgers with Drunken Mushrooms

Tavern Burgers with Drunken Mushrooms

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Dad will love these pub-style burgers topped with beer-braised mushrooms, extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, and a smear of garlicky mayonnaise. Don't forget the frosty beer.

09 of 34

Crispy Sesame Chicken Cutlets with Tomato Salad and Tahini

crispy sesame chicken schnitzel with tomato salad and tahini

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Jillian Knox

Butterfly and pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, then bread them with sesame seeds and flaky seasoned panko before pan-frying until crispy and golden. An easy tomato salad and creamy tahini sauce round out the plate for a quick, flavor-packed meal that'll wow the dad in your life.

10 of 34

Banoffee Pie

A slice of Banofee pie.

Food & Wine / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel

This salty-sweet take on the classic British pie from cookbook author Jessie Sheehan calls for an easy graham cracker crust, homemade dulce de leche, sliced bananas, and a pile of lightly salted whipped cream. Swap in store-bought dulce de leche if you're short on time.

11 of 34

Honey-Pepper Coconut Shrimp

Honey Pepper Coconut Shrimp Recipe

Greg DuPree / Prop Styling by Christine Keely / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer

Perfectly crisp and golden, these shrimp bites are coated in sweetened shredded coconut and panko and glazed with a zesty, peppery sauce. Serve with mango-habanero aïoli to please Dad and a crowd.

12 of 34

Beef Satay with Mushrooms and Coconut-Peanut Sauce

Mushroom and Beef Satay with Coconut-Peanut Sauce

Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

These Indonesian-style skewers are soaked in an umami-packed kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) marinade. A rich, slightly tangy coconut-peanut sauce helps the meat and mushrooms caramelize as they cook. It's also drizzled over the finished skewers.

13 of 34

Sheet-Pan Salmon with Gin-Soaked Tomatoes

SLOW-BAKED SHEET PAN SALMON WITH GIN-SOAKED TOMATOES

Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Thom Driver

For this hands-off dinner, salmon fillets are baked slowly for meltingly tender results. Roasted tomatoes and shallots mingle beautifully with the botanical notes of gin and briny capers.

14 of 34

Grilled Picanha with Piri Piri

GRILLED PICANHA WITH PIRI PIRI

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

If you're not already buying picanha, this easy recipe from Junior Borges might just convince you to add the affordable and tender cut to your grilling repertoire. Here, simply seasoned meat is served with a vibrant and spicy-sweet sauce.

15 of 34

Grilled Pizza with Rosemary Potato Chips

Grilled Pizza with Rosemary Potato Chips

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

The grill isn't just for meats and veggies; this cheesy white pizza from 1988 F&W Best New Chef Johanne Killeen develops a flavorful char on the grill. A generous pile of kettle-cooked chips and fresh rosemary take it over the top in the best way.

16 of 34

Summer Berry Galette

Berry Galette

Food & Wine / Photo by Jason Donnelly / Food Styling by Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling by Addelyn Evans

Juicy, sweet-tart berries are tucked into a buttery, flaky crust for an unfussy dessert that sings of summer. Keep it classic and serve with scoops of vanilla ice cream.

17 of 34

Viet-Cajun Fried Catfish Po’boy

Viet-Cajun Style Fried Catfish Po’Boy

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Torie Cox / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle

Chef Nini Nguyen melds salt, sweet, and spice flavors in this crispy fried catfish sandwich served with a fish sauce–caramel glaze and punchy tart pickles, a delicious mashup of Cajun and Vietnamese cuisines.

18 of 34

Goldee’s Creamy Potato Salad

Goldee’s Potato Salad

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

This standout side from 2024 F&W Best New Chef Lane Milne gets a perfect amount of tang from cider vinegar, mustard, and chopped dill pickles.

19 of 34

Grilled Burgers Stuffed with Pimiento Cheese

Grilled Burgers Stuffed with Pimiento Cheese

Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Micah Morton / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Dad won't leave the table hungry with these burgers filled with pimento cheese, which turns extra gooey when they hit the grill. Top with tangy pickles and slaw to offset the creamy flavors.

20 of 34

Roasted Pork Tostadas with Citrusy Cabbage Salad

Roasted pork tostadas with citrusy cabbage salad

Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis

Combine tender pork shoulder roasted with citrus and herbs alongside chewy hominy, crisp radishes, and crunchy cabbage to top these tostadas. You can serve the pork salad family-style and let guests build their own.

21 of 34

Ground Beef Bulgogi Sloppy Joes with Fiery Napa Slaw

Ground Beef Bulgogi Sloppy Joes with Fiery Napa Slaw

Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

This version of the quick-cooking American classic is saucy, sweet, and salty thanks to the flavors of Korean barbecue. Top it with spicy, creamy slaw to offset the sandwich's sweet notes.

22 of 34

Summer Crab Carbonara with Lemons and Capers

Summer Crab Carbonara with Lemons and Capers Recipe
Michael Piazza

With plenty of fresh crab and briny capers, 2020 F&W Best New Chef Douglass Williams’ method for this summery dish yields a simple, creamy carbonara without the stress.

23 of 34

Steak Pizzaiola

Steak Pizzaiola

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

If Dad can't decide between going to a pizzeria or steakhouse, bring the flavors of both to him with skirt steaks topped with a garlicky fresh-tomato sauce.

24 of 34

Charred Chile–Marinated Grilled Chicken Tacos

Charred Chile-Marinated Grilled Chicken Tacos

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Nidia Cueva

Paired with homemade tortillas and fresh tomatillo salsa cruda, these tacos make for a next-level taco night. 2021 F&W Best New Chef Fermín Núñez builds layers of deep flavor by toasting and charring dried chiles, cinnamon, allspice, and onions for his smoky marinade.

25 of 34

Ultimate Veggie Burgers

Ultimate Veggie Burger
Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis

For the vegetarian dad in your life, delight them with these savory veggie burgers made with a mix of mushrooms, chickpeas, and barley, plus panko breadcrumbs to make them even heartier.

26 of 34

Pineapple Coleslaw

Pineapple Coleslaw

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

This creamy mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar–based coleslaw from 2019 F&W Best New Chef Bryan Furman gets a sweet tang from canned pineapple.

27 of 34

Grilled Fish Kebabs

Grilled Fish Kebabs

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless

Kebabs are a great dish for serving a group, as skewers can easily come off the grill and be passed around. Don't skimp on the fresh and ground dried lime for zesty flavor.

28 of 34

Hawaiian-Style Hot Dog

Hawaiian Hot Dog

Food & Wine / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Chelesa Zimmer / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser

Special accoutrements of pineapple relish and mango mustard bring piquant, tropical flavors to hot dogs charred on the grill.

29 of 34

Red Chile Grilled Shrimp

Camarones El Ricas (Red Chile–Marinated Grilled Shrimp)

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

These grilled shrimp get loads of bold flavor from two kinds of Mexican chiles in the vibrant red marinade.

30 of 34

Grilled S’mores Pie

Grilled smores pie served in a tin pie pan on a blue background

Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Ali Ramee

Prepare this dessert on a kamado-style ceramic grill while the rest of your meal cooks — just use the indirect heat grate. The grill will stay hot long enough to allow the pie to cool during dinner, then return it to the still-hot grates to toast the marshmallows just before serving.

31 of 34

Shaky Pete's Ginger Brew

Shaky Pete's Ginger Brew Recipe

Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon

Top this semi-frozen, sweet, sour, and slightly spicy ginger drink with beer and serve in an ice-cold mug to ensure that Dad is properly refreshed.

32 of 34

Perfect Smoked Pork Ribs

pork ribs
Victor Protasio

These St. Louis–style ribs are first smoked then baked, rubbed in gochugaru, and served with Dad's favorite hot or barbecue sauce. Wrap them in foil and parchment paper before putting them in the oven to achieve an ideal tender texture.

33 of 34

Skillet Brownies on the Grill

Skillet Brownies on the Grill
Victor Protasio

Grilling brownies in a cast-iron skillet set over hot coals means the fudgy center is surrounded by delightfully smoky brownie "bark" at the edges.

34 of 34

Beer-Steamed Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce

Beer Steamed Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce

David Malosh

Steamed shrimp turn deliciously tender and flavorful with a poaching liquid of Old Bay–seasoned beer. Serve with a tangy cocktail sauce and pair with some of Dad's favorite sides.

Was this page helpful?

Related Articles